it's been a long time and many changes in restaurants since the last time this question was asked. if your best friend was about to leave for a first trip to aruba, which 7 restaurants would you suggest they fill their week with?

Okay...let me start...it's hard though cause I don't know if I've been to all of them yet...LOL. And some are closed now too.1. Madame Janette's2. L.G. Smith's 3. Ruth's Chris ( I know...not popular with many)4. El Gaucho 5. Chef's Table6. Sole Mare7. Iguana Joe's (love the fajita's there)

Now...I always loved Rumba's and I guess it's closed this time...so I will be sad over that. And I have new ones that I can't wait to try and soon I will...so my list may change.
[FONT=Comic Sans MS]But I don't even know if this is the right list...I think I'm forgetting some....I'll get back to ya. hahahahahahaa[/FONT

Okay...I checked the restaurant list and since we only want 7...I will add these as honorable mentions (although I love these places as well)Ruinas Del Mar (Hyatt)Sunset Grille (special place in my heart..had our wedding dinner there)Gilligan's (lunch mainly)Marandi...(have not been to the new place yet so I shouldn't really add this one I guess)Bugaloe ( also lunch)Okay...that's it....or not Sherry...sorry..there are just to many.....

Okay...I checked the restaurant list and since we only want 7...I will add these as honorable mentions (although I love these places as well)Ruinas Del Mar (Hyatt)Sunset Grille (special place in my heart..had our wedding dinner there)Gilligan's (lunch mainly)Marandi...(have not been to the new place yet so I shouldn't really add this one I guess)Bugaloe ( also lunch)Okay...that's it....or not Sherry...sorry..there are just to many.....

So subjective! We have our yearly favorites & try to dine at a couple new "recommendations" every trip. We suggest everyone try a restaurant that sounds "delicious & intriguing " & totally decide for yourselves where you want to return! It's simple & fun to "experiment" with "new, fun" eateries! It's never failed us.....

So subjective! We have our yearly favorites & try to dine at a couple new "recommendations" every trip. We suggest everyone try a restaurant that sounds "delicious & intriguing " & totally decide for yourselves where you want to return! It's simple & fun to "experiment" with "new, fun" eateries! It's never failed us.....

I think all time favorite is Matthews followed very closely by Cook's. Rick is just fantastic and Jorge the bartender is a real entertainer. Would probably be a tie if Cook's was easier to get to and park.

cooks has a huge parking lot. he also now has a shuttle that will pick you up and return you to your hotel or timeshare. i know because we used it. good thing too because the wine was great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillyboater

I think all time favorite is Matthews followed very closely by Cook's. Rick is just fantastic and Jorge the bartender is a real entertainer. Would probably be a tie if Cook's was easier to get to and park.

I think all time favorite is Matthews followed very closely by Cook's. Rick is just fantastic and Jorge the bartender is a real entertainer. Would probably be a tie if Cook's was easier to get to and park.

Now I absolutely have to try both of these as they are on my list of new restaurants to try....
ruba

cooks has a huge parking lot. he also now has a shuttle that will pick you up and return you to your hotel or timeshare. i know because we used it. good thing too because the wine was great.

Charlie & I also used Cooks shuttle in April. I don't like to drive downtown at night so the shuttle was great. The driver picked us up exactly on time and when we where finished dining and enjoying Ommi's company, Ommi called and the shuttle was there to bring us back to our resort.

The food is great at Cooks. We went on Thursday when it is all-you-can eat Sushi night. I hate sushi (well, I never tried it, but I know I wouldn't like it). I'm a beef eater and Ommi let me order one of his great steaks off the menu. I did try (2 big bowls) of the egg drop soup (part of the sushi buffet). Four months later and I'm still thinking of that soup. It was sooooo good.

If you haven't been to Cook's Restaurant, it's a must go to restaurant in Aruba IMHO. I find the menu very reasonably priced with quality food. And the dining room is very classy, but it is a family friendly restaurant.

When I talk to people, they don't know where Cooks Restaurant is, so they haven't gone. It's so easy. It's right UP the block from El Gaucho's on the opposite side of the street (same side as Garufa's Cocktail Lounge).

When we were there last March we really like Amazing in San Nicolas. Had lunch there one day and their Sunday "buffet" once. Not really a buffet as they serve you at your table. Small portions off a menu that take up a full sheet of paper. A lot like Tapas. All you care to eat, bloody marys and mimosas. I guess transportation could be a problem if you don't have a car but there have got to be a lot of restaurants on the Island that are excellent but not known to us "tourists". We'll be down in March and are willing to try any suggestions.